Aysling Team Spotlight: Brook Williams

Meet Brook

Brook has been part of the Fry Family Network for quite some time, working in various departments until finally landing with the Aysling group as one of our Software Engineers. Take a moment today to learn more about Brook, you’ll be glad you did.

What’s your name?

Brook Williams

What is your job title at Aysling?

Software Engineer

So what does that mean you actually do?

I take part in building out and maintaining functionality across our software offerings. Early on, I focused primarily on the subscription side of MagHub. Since then, my fingerprints are on quite a bit of software in one way or another.

How long have you worked at Aysling?

I started out doing contract work for upwards of two years. I was brought on full-time in May of 2015, so I’ve officially been part of Aysling for about four-in-a-half years.

What is your favorite thing about working at Aysling?

I work remotely from Pennsylvania, so that’s a big plus. Other than that, I’d have to say the family-like nature of the workplace.

What is/was your favorite magazine publication?

I rode dirt bikes for about ten years when I was younger, so I was obsessed with pretty much anything and everything involving them. Dirt Rider Magazine was my go-to for all the latest news, as well as the pages serving as ‘decorations’ for my bedroom walls. I don’t think my dad was too please with all of the pinholes in the wall (sorry!)

If you had to publish your own magazine, what would it be about?

Maybe some sort of hobbyist type of magazine, but more geared towards getting people to go out and experience new things. I’ve been learning to play guitar for the past several years, as well as trying to do more DIY tasks around the house. Even though it’s frustrating at times, I think the satisfaction of accomplishing something out of your comfort zone is really rewarding, and something more people should experience.

What is the one piece of software you cannot live without?

Probably Google Play Music since I listen to music pretty much all day (you hear that Google! You’re discontinuing the one software I can’t live without!)

What is your favorite season?

Fall

If you could live in any movie/television show, which one would it be? And why?

I’d have to say The Office for three reasons: Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica.

Board, Card, or Video Games?

Video Games

Favorite type of sandwich?

I’d have to say a ham or Italian sub, but from a pizzeria… the bread makes all the difference. Oh yeah, you gotta put chips in the sandwich too!

Interesting fact about yourself?

I guess I’m the ‘chicken’ guy at Aysling. When I met my wife, she proclaimed that she wanted to have a bunch of farm animals. I brushed it off as one of those, “I want to be a princess when I’m older” ordeals, but I was mistaken. I’ve successfully fended off the goats and cows, but she won the battle on chickens. We currently have five Silkie Chickens, with more on the way I’m sure.

And finally, what is your favorite quote/lyric (movie, television show, song, or inspirational)?

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”